The Ukrainian government declared yesterday that the journalist Arkady Babchenko was shot dead by unknown assailants. However, it turns out that Babchenko was involved in a sting operation with Ukrainian security services meant to uncover an assassination plot against him.

VIDEO: Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko turns up at news conference less than 24 hours after police reported he had been killed pic.twitter.com/g9L8QPWNyV

#Babchenko said that he had found out about an assassination that was being planned against him and joined up with Ukrainian security services to catch the killer, and add that according to their info, Russia ordered the murder https://t.co/Q9pDrxGyAu

Whether or not the operation did in fact catch Babchenko’s would-be assassins, some may be left wondering if the tactic of faking his death could harm the credibility of the Ukrainian government. Moscow has an extensive track record when it comes to assassinating journalists, but incidents like these may sow doubt about future claims concerning the Russian government’s involvement in targeting journalists.

Being a Russian journalist is an extremely dangerous job, especially for those who attempt to shine a light on the government’s misbehavior. There have been 58 journalists killed in Russia since 1992. Many of those deaths are linked to the Kremlin.

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Author: Jordan Schachtel

Jordan Schachtel is the national security correspondent for Conservative Review and editor of The Dossier for Blaze Media. Follow him on Twitter @JordanSchachtel.